Smax Smith (real name Paul Smith) is a British-born Top Fuel drag racer who has become a colorful figure on the North American drag racing scene. By 2016 he was about 61 years old and had already spent 42 years in drag racing. A native of the UK who now lives in Ayr, Ontario, Smith is best known for founding the Ant Hill Mob drag racing team and for winning the FIA European Top Fuel championship in 2003. He often sports long blond hair and a big smile, and is admired by fans for his enthusiastic, humorous personality at the track.
Early Life & Background
Details about Smax Smith’s birth date and family are scarce. His legal name is Paul Smith, but he has been nicknamed Smax since childhood – reportedly because of a fondness for Sugar Smacks cereal or simply a playful moniker from school. Smith grew up in England and began racing in the late 1970s. He founded the Ant Hill Mob drag racing team around that time, starting out with street-rod and dragster projects. Over time the Ant Hill Mob name became known in UK and European drag racing circles for its “wild cars” and party atmosphere. After decades in Europe, Smith moved to Canada in the early 2000s; he settled in Ayr, Ontario, where he has lived since about 2004. In Canada he worked odd jobs (including car inspection and window cleaning) even as he pursued drag racing.
Racing Career and Achievements
Smax Smith’s career highlights include a 1993 World Finals debut (aged in his 30s) and a crowning achievement in 2003. In 2003 Smith won the FIA European Top Fuel championship in his rookie season, the first time a first-year driver had ever captured that title in Europe. At the championship banquet in the south of France he even shared the stage with racing stars like Michael Schumacher and Juan-Pablo Montoya – an event he later described as “the highlight of my life”. That same interview claims he was the first person to break 300 mph in Europe and that he “hosted Top Gear, the biggest show in the world” (a reference to UK’s BBC program).
After his European successes, Smith continued running nitro dragsters on both continents. The Ant Hill Mob team remained largely self-funded and family-operated. Smith’s five sons and other relatives often helped out; in fact his son Aidan (28 years old as of mid-2010s) followed his father into racing, graduating from junior dragsters into alcohol Funny Cars. Smith’s family and friends formed the core of his crew, with longtime friends Bob and Gary Leverich handling much of the mechanical work. Gary Leverich and his father even helped buy and maintain the team’s dragster, using their backyard lot and a rented storage unit as a shop.
Ant Hill Mob and FIA Success
Under Smith’s leadership, Ant Hill Mob “progressed into the top level of drag racing”. The team name (a nod to the movie Mad Max) became synonymous with Smith’s larger-than-life style. In Europe Smith raced old-school Top Fuel dragsters (often with 950+ cu. in. engines) against well-funded teams, frequently running 4-second passes and lighting off spectacular fireballs if things went wrong. One infamous run in 2003 saw his blower fail and the car burst into flames – yet he still qualified with a 5.20 sec pass by the half-mile. Fans would come just to watch Smith perform burnouts, bangs, and high-speed runs. His son Aidan noted that many in Britain called Smax “the John Force of England” due to his humor and showmanship.
North American / NHRA Career
After moving to Canada, Smith continued racing on smaller circuits while eyeing American competition. In 2004 he returned briefly to England to help a friend’s Top Fuel team before bringing new cars to North America. Around 2017 he got a major opportunity: the Leverich family of Florida hired him to drive their Top Fuel dragster on the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) circuit. Smith’s last NHRA national event prior to this was in the summer of 2017 at Raceway Park (Englishtown, NJ), where he qualified the Leverich dragster. In 2018 the Leverich team briefly rotated another driver (Audrey Worm) in the car, but Smith returned in 2019 when funding became available. A fan-run GoFundMe campaign and a sponsorship from Hi Tech CAM allowed him to enter the 2019 Reading (Pennsylvania) and Charlotte (North Carolina) Nationals. He qualified 14th in Reading and drew two-time champ Doug Kalitta in round one. Smith described his comeback as a “fairy-tale” story, proud to help the underdog Leverich team with their grind.
Smith has continued to chase Top Fuel goals on a tight budget. In 2024 he competed in NHRA divisional events and attempted national events with the Leverich dragster (car #354). Notably, during qualifying at the 2024 Pep Boys NHRA Nationals (Maple Grove, PA), Smith’s engine spectacularly blew up in flames – yet miraculously that run (an 8.233 sec pass) was just enough to get him into eliminations. The NHRA wrote that his “dramatic engine explosion” became a viral moment, and the team worked all night to repair the dragster. As of 2025 he remains a permitted Top Fuel driver in the NHRA, known for battling with mid-tier equipment against the class’s best. His first NHRA round-win (in eliminations) came in [year unknown] with Leverich Racing, a milestone celebrated by fans (per social media) after years of trying.
Television & Major Appearances
Smith’s vivacious personality has led to some media interest. He claims to have “hosted Top Gear, the biggest show in the world,” referring to the BBC car show. (Most of his TV work appears to have been on European channels or indie specials.) He also attempted to pitch a documentary series about his “American dream” of reaching NHRA glory, but the project never got picked up. On race weekends he is a fan favorite – a 2016 feature noted that he “draws a steady stream of well-wishers at every race” and loves interacting with fans. His son Aidan often races alongside him in alcohol Funny Cars (NHRA) and junior classes, making the Smiths something of a racing family story.
Though primarily a Top Fuel dragster pilot, Smith has also driven altered-wheelbase “Alky” Funny Cars (alcohol-fueled) earlier in his career. He occasionally attends drag racing exhibitions or nostalgia events; for example, he’s been featured in video highlights of the IHRA Outlaw Nitro series and other racing archives (with clips of his fireballs and burnout shows). In summary, aside from racing he has not appeared in major TV shows or competitions outside drag racing, nor on reality TV that we could find.
Personal Details
- Age: Sources indicate he was 61 in mid-2016, suggesting a birth year around 1954–1955. That would make him about 70–71 years old by 2025. His exact birth date and current age are not publicly documented.
- Birth Name: Paul Smith. The nickname “Smax” was given in childhood and stuck for decades.
- Family: Smith is private about his personal life, but he has five children (the competition profile mentions five kids). Two of his sons are named in racing coverage: Aidan Smith (Alcohol Funny Car driver) and Ed Smith (another son who drove an alcohol Funny Car for the team). He also mentions grandchildren who enjoy watching him race. Details about his spouse or partner are not widely reported. (One racing-news Facebook post refers to a “wife Heather,” but we cannot confirm that from a reliable source.)
- Physical stats: Height and weight are not listed in any sources. (As of now, such details are unknown.)
- Residence: Ayr, Ontario, Canada (a town near Kitchener/Waterloo). Originally from England (city unspecified).
- Net Worth: No public estimate of net worth is available. Smith’s career has mostly run on personal and family funding, not large sponsor payouts.
Social Media Presence
Smax Smith is active online mainly through the Ant Hill Mob Dragracing Team accounts. The official team website and social media use the “anthillmob69” handle. For example, the Ant Hill Mob Instagram (@anthillmob69) and Facebook pages feature updates about Smith and his sons’ racing. On these, Smith posts race footage, fireball clips, and meet-up announcements. The team’s 2023 website lists an Instagram (@anthillmob69) and Facebook “Ant Hill Mob Dragracing Team” page. Smith himself engages with fans occasionally, but mostly via the team’s profiles. (As is common for racers, official stats and posts appear on NHRA’s site and allied racing news, rather than personal social media accounts.)
Public Interest & Search Intent
As a niche but colorful figure, Smax Smith tends to draw interest from drag-racing enthusiasts and curious motorsport fans. People often search for him after seeing a dramatic race clip or reading about his accomplishments. For example, the fiery engine explosion at the 2024 NHRA Nationals made him a trending topic among NHRA followers. Other common searches include “Smax Smith Top Fuel”, “Smax Smith age”, or “Ant Hill Mob dragster”. Many fans remember him as an underdog who competes on a shoestring budget, and they admire his perseverance. (He even has been likened to John Force for his showmanship.)
Because Smith is not a household name, information about him was long available only through drag racing media and team sources. His profile rose when NHRA events and racing magazines featured him. Limited personal details mean that frequently searched questions like “How old is Smax Smith?” or “Where is he from?” are only answered by digging into articles like those above. We have focused here on confirmed facts: his championship win, his long career, and his NHRA appearances.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
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Who is Smax Smith?
Smax Smith (born Paul Smith) is a veteran Top Fuel drag racer known for his lively personality. He founded the Ant Hill Mob racing team and won the 2003 FIA European Top Fuel championship. He later competed in NHRA Top Fuel events in the USA with the Leverich Racing team. -
What is Smax Smith’s real name?
His given name is Paul Smith. “Smax” is a lifelong nickname. (When he first came to NHRA, officials initially tried to register him as Paul Smith, but he asked to be called Smax because that’s how his fans knew him.) -
How old is Smax Smith?
Exact birthdate details are not public. In a 2016 profile he was said to be 61 years old. That suggests he was born around 1954–1955, making him roughly 70–71 years old in 2025. -
Where is Smax Smith from?
He is originally from England (UK) and is often called a “British native”. He moved to Canada (Ontario) around 2004 and lives in Ayr, Ontario. He now races primarily on the North American circuit. -
What are Smax Smith’s major wins or championships?
The biggest title of his career was the FIA Top Fuel European Championship in 2003. In NHRA competition, he has not won a national event, but he did record his first round-win in an NHRA eliminator after years of trying (celebrated on social media). He is best known for consistent qualifiers rather than NHRA race victories. -
What team does Smax Smith drive for?
He is the founder and owner of the Ant Hill Mob Drag Racing Team. In NHRA Top Fuel events he drives the Leverich Racing dragster (a small team owned by Gary and Bob Leverich) as of the late 2010s. -
What is the Ant Hill Mob?
The Ant Hill Mob is the drag racing team that Smith started in the late 1970s. It began as a street-racing crew and eventually became a professional NHRA Top Fuel team. The name is a play on the classic “Mad Max” theme and the idea of small ants taking on giants. -
Does Smax Smith have any family in racing?
Yes. He has five children and at least two of his sons race. His son Aidan Smith is an alcohol Funny Car driver, and another son (Ed Smith) drove a Funny Car for the team. His family often helps maintain the cars; racing is a multi-generation pursuit for the Smiths. He also has grandchildren, whom he’s mentioned as fans of his driving. -
Is Smax Smith on social media?
The Ant Hill Mob team is active on social media. Look for “Ant Hill Mob Dragracing Team” on Facebook and Instagram (@anthillmob69). There Smith posts photos, video clips of races, and updates. Smith himself may appear in team posts, but he does not seem to run a personal public profile. -
Why is information about Smax Smith limited?
Smax Smith is a niche figure in drag racing, with most press coming from specialized motorsport outlets. He has not disclosed many personal details publicly (like age, birthplace, or net worth), so writers rely on race articles, interviews, and his team’s own reports. Because he is older and not in the TV celebrity tier, only fans and racing media usually cover him in depth.
Conclusion
Smax Smith remains a passionate, hardworking underdog in drag racing. He has achieved fame as a European champion and as a lovable veteran on the NHRA circuit. While personal details are sparse, fans know him as Paul “Smax” Smith – a cheerful competitor who still tears down the track in his 70s. Readers interested in Smith can follow the Ant Hill Mob team’s updates on social media and watch NHRA race coverage. His story is ongoing: check back during NHRA season events for more highlights and lessons from this determined drag racer.